What was going on in America in 1972? The Vietnam War raged on, the Watergate Scandal rocked the nation, Roberto Clemente got his 3000th hit, Hurricane Agnes flooded most of Pennsylvania, and plaid bell bottom pants were still very, very popular! The Godfather was the number one movie in America and the song American Pie was at the top of the charts.
TV Host Guide (20th Century) by TV HostPennsylvania House of Representatives Archives
1972 Newspaper
Hurricane Agnes was Pennsylvania's wettest weather event to hit the region in June 1972. Costing over two billion dollars in damage, this natural disaster killed 50 people in Pennsylvania alone.
The Great Flood (20th Century) by Sunday Patriot NewsPennsylvania House of Representatives Archives
Agnes comes to Harrisburg
Harrisburg had 15 inches of rain over a five day period causing historic flooding in the region. The Susquehanna River crested 15 feet over flood stage. Scenes like this demonstrate the vast flooding that occurred in Harrisburg, but also across central PA.
What was happening in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives? Anita P. Kelly proposed HB 2070 which ratified the proposed amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution to allow equal rights for men and women. Act 63 created the Pennsylvania Advisory Council on Drug and Alcohol Abuse. Franklin Kury sponsored HB 963 which successfully created the Pennsylvania Scenic Rivers System.
Here in the Capitol...
The Speaker of the House was Herbert Fineman, but five other past and future Speakers were serving at the same exact time (Lee, Irvis, Manderino, Seltzer, Ryan).
Image: Democratic Leaders of 1972 (right to left: Fineman, Irvis, Wargo, Prendergast, Englehart)
Knepper Photograph by Representative James W. KnepperPennsylvania House of Representatives Archives
James W. Knepper
Knepper served in the House from 1971 to 1980. Following his House service he was the executive director for the Pennsylvania Human Resource Committee and Secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (1984-1987).
Jay R. Wells III
Wells served in the House from 1971 to 1974. He was also a dentist. Wells later served as a member of the Bethel Park Republican Committee (1961-1965, 1968-1971), and was also elected a Judge of Elections, Allegheny County (1961-1965).
Letter to Jay Wells (20th Century) by Representative Jay R. Wells IIIPennsylvania House of Representatives Archives
A letter from Kenneth B. Lee to Jay Wells about being renominated and also an invite to attend a new Members gathering.
A brochure about reelecting Jay Wells to the House.
Plaid and bell bottom pants help us step back in time!
Bucks County Parade by Representative Marvin WeidnerPennsylvania House of Representatives Archives
Bucks County Parade
Marvin Weidner (right) in a parade to help spread the word about elections! Notice the Nixon car in the background! This would have been during Richard Nixon's Presidential reelection campaign.
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